For Immediate Release
18th Annual Jacksonville FOODFIGHT®
enjoys most productive year ever
for Second Harvest Food Bank
The 2008 event raises nearly $60,000 and attracts more
than 1,200 attendees - both record figures
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 23, 2008) - The numbers are in, and the biggest winner from the 18th Annual Jacksonville FOODFIGHT® on June 5 was the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida.
The annual gathering of the First Coast's top restaurants, caterers and drink distributors at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium produced record yields of more than 1,200 fun-filled patrons and more than $55,000 raised to help fight hunger in north Florida. Proceeds from the event benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank, which serves an 18-county area by providing food resources to 515 member agencies - including soup kitchens, homeless shelters, senior citizen centers and after-school programs for children.
"Each year, this event proves to be one of the most popular fundraisers from which our agency has the pleasure to benefit," said Wayne Rieley, president and CEO of Lutheran Social Services, the parent organization of Second Harvest. "Patrons always have a tremendous time and are able to sample some of the best food and beverages in Jacksonville. Most importantly, however, they are able to contribute to a great cause and make an impact in the continuing battle our community wages against hunger."
The FOODFIGHT festivities proved to be among the best in the event's storied history as well, with 49 participants battling it out for culinary supremacy. The Crabcake Factory took first prize for its popular dishes of shrimp, scallops and crabcakes. Taking second place was The Cake Shop of San Jose with its many sugar-filled delicacies. In third place was Sun Dog Diner. Live musical entertainment, a silent auction and a raffle rounded out the evening at the Crown Royal Touchdown Club East.
Since 1989, the Jacksonville FOODFIGHT has raised more than $860,000 in the fight against hunger.
"We can't thank everyone enough for their support," Rieley said. "The FOODFIGHT committee of Eddie Fink, Bob Conrad, Jim Mace, Teresa Brown Pratt and Phyllis Burroughs do a fantastic job each year of making this event a wonderful time for those who come. Without their work, it wouldn't be possible."
Plans are already underway for the 19th Annual Jacksonville FOODFIGHT, which is schedule for June 4, 2009, also at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. |
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About Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida
Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida is the oldest and largest program of Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida. LSS was founded in 1979 by area Lutherans and business leaders and continues to be led by LCMS and ELCA congregations today. The agency currently operates five programs: Second Harvest Food Bank, a member of America's Second Harvest food network; Refugee and Immigration Services, which resettles 90% of all refugees coming to Jacksonville through Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) and Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM); International Adoption, a member of Lutheran Adoption Network, a national collaboration of 30 Lutheran social ministry organizations that place thousands of children in caring adoptive homes, regardless of faith background, every year; AIDS Care and Education Program and Representative Payee Services. LSS also operates The Sharing Place Thrift Shop, 4615 Philips Highway, Tues.-Sat. Call 904.448.5995 for more information about any of these programs and services. |
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| CONTACT:
Lutheran Social Services of NE Florida Tom Strother
Advancement Manager (Communications)
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